Fluoride plays a vital role in maintaining optimal dental health. It strengthens your tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to tooth decay and cavities. While many people associate fluoride with dental treatments and toothpaste, fluoride can also be found in some foods. As naturally beneficial, eating foods that contain fluoride can help benefit your oral health. At St. Clair Dental PLLC, we help your smile by naturally supporting your oral health. Our comprehensive list of fluoride-rich foods can help you care for your enamel and keep your teeth healthy.
Fluoride does wonderful things for your oral health; it strengthens your tooth enamel, prevents tooth decay, helps alleviate tooth sensitivity, and even reverses the early stages of tooth decay, known as demineralization. If you’re looking for a great way to get fluoride, why not eat healthy, delicious food? Here are some of the best foods that naturally contain fluoride:
Incorporating fluoride into your diet can be a great way to naturally support your dental health alongside brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist. At St. Clair Dental PLLC, we encourage people to take a well-rounded approach to their dental care, and learning about vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can be an excellent way to achieve a healthy, vibrant smile. For more information about our services and treatments, contact our office in Granbury, TX, by calling (817) 910-2880 to visit Dr. Maureen Karl today.
Dentures have always been a popular option for people who’ve experienced tooth loss. These devices have come a long way since they were first created, and modern dentures today are made with high-quality materials that make them comfortable and durable, solving many people’s problems.
However, even with modern advancements helping us, dentures can still pose problems. Throughout this article, we’ll dive deeper into some of the most common denture problems and how to treat them.
Although dentures are considered one of the best solutions for missing teeth, many problems can occur, especially if you are new to wearing them. We’re here to help guide you through some of the most common problems people with dentures face and provide tips on managing or treating them.
Ill-Fitting Dentures
Ill-fitting dentures can result from wearing dentures for a long time, gradual changes in the mouth’s shape, or improper fit when first worn. Ill-fitting dentures can cause sore spots and discomfort in the mouth. They can also make it difficult to eat and speak properly.
If you have ill-fitted dentures, you should visit your dentist for an adjustment or realignment. Realigning your dentures helps reduce any pain or discomfort you feel wearing them and helps them fit better, making them more comfortable to wear.
Sore Gums
Sore gums are also a common problem for denture wearers. This is because new dentures can put irritating pressure on the gums. When getting new dentures, the mouth sometimes needs time to adjust to the new appliances.
If you’re experiencing sore gums from your dentures, try following these tips:
Difficulties Eating – Eating with dentures can often be a challenge, especially for people not used to wearing them. New dentures can become difficult to manage as wearing them needs to become a new trained habit. If you’re experiencing difficulties eating and swallowing foods, try these tips:
It is also important to take small bites and chew slowly when you’re first starting to wear dentures, and with time and practice, you’ll get used to eating with your dentures.
Denture Slippage
Dentures have a bad habit of slipping out of place when a person eats or speaks. While slippage can be embarrassing, it most often occurs due to an improper fit or the dentures wearing down over time. To help prevent slippage, we recommend:
Bad Breath
Lastly, one of the biggest problems people with dentures face is bad breath. Dentures can easily harbor bacteria and food particles, especially when not cared for properly. To help reduce signs of bad breath, try these tips:
St. Clair Dental PLLC is committed to helping our patients achieve optimal oral health. Contact us today by calling (817) 910-2880 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Maureen Karl and visit our office in Granbury, TX, for a denture fitting that works for you.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is critical for your health, and tongue scrapping can be an excellent addition to your oral care routine! Tongue scraping involves using a tool to scrape the tongue to remove any bacteria and debris that may be present. Throughout this article, we will discuss the benefits of tongue scraping, how to do it correctly, and why it can be an excellent part of your daily oral hygiene routine.
Tongue scraping can offer many benefits for oral hygiene and health. The goal is to remove any leftover bacteria in your mouth contributing to gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. It’s considered a fast way to remove any debris and leftover particle that may be missed while brushing and flossing your teeth. While brushing and flossing can do plenty for your mouth, one of the leading causes of bad breath is not properly cleaning your tongue!
Some of the benefits that tongue scraping can do include:
Tongue scraping is a simple, easy process that anyone can do, and it can be done in the comfort of your home. Here’s what we recommend to do tongue scraping correctly:
While tongue scraping can offer many benefits, it’s not suitable for everyone. People who should avoid tongue scraping include those with a sensitive gag reflex, those with current infections in the mouth, and those with tongue piercings.
Tongue scraping is a simple, effective way to keep your mouth clean and improve your oral health. It’s considered a great practice that’s easy to do at home. If you have any concerns or questions, contact St. Clair Dental PLLC in Granbury, TX, by calling (817) 910-2880 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Maureen Karl.
Do you have a hard, bony lump along your gum line? If you do, we understand how terrifying it can be to experience something unusual. However, bony bumps along the gumline aren’t a cause for concern, as your dentist or oral surgeon can inspect your gums, diagnose them, and offer the best treatment for your condition. But why do bony protrusions occur along the gum line? In this article, we’ll go over the possible causes and provide ways to help you treat it.
Bony growths are referred to as osteomas or exostosis; these lumps can occur from some form of bone irritation, chronic bone injury, or even occur after a tooth extraction/surgery! However, it’s important to reach out to your dentist to get a proper diagnosis, as they will be the best available resource for treatment, especially if you are experiencing pain, swelling, and irritation along your gumline. Here are some of the most common causes of bony lumps along the gumline:
If you’re experiencing a swollen, hard lump along your mouth, then it’s essential to seek out treatment from your local dentist. At St. Clair Dental PLLC, our dentists can provide diagnosis and treatment for hard, bony lumps through our compassionate service under Dr. Maureen Karl. Visit our office in Granbury, TX, today by calling (817) 910-2880!
If you’re looking forward to getting dental implants or have recently gotten dental implants, then congratulations! Getting implants can be a wonderful, exciting time and help you have a lasting smile! It’s essential that during this time, you follow the instructions provided by your dentist or oral surgeon to ensure that you have a smooth healing process. However, one piece of information you should already know is that you should avoid dairy products.
Feeling uncomfortable with your smile is perfectly normal, and getting dental implants can be a fantastic way to improve your smile and overall health. After your implant surgery, you may feel signs of discomfort and pain during the first few days of healing. It’s recommended that you should take the time to relax and recover from your surgery, using prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers. Making the time to ensure that you heal is very important, as it can help improve your surgery’s overall success. It’s also essential to eat soft foods during the first few days to help reduce the risk of damage to your surgical site and allow the site to develop blood clots. For a quick guide on what not to eat, here are some foods you should avoid:
While these restrictions are temporary, one such food that you shouldn’t have is any dairy products. While it is a great source of protein and calcium, dairy is known to cause an inflammatory response throughout the tissues. Any inflammation can impact how your mouth heals during surgery and cause issues with implant placement and impact the osseointegration process. Dairy also can trigger nausea and vomiting in some people, similar to those with severe lactose intolerance. When this occurs, nausea and vomiting can cause the stomach acids to damage the enamel over time, which can be especially painful for a healing site.
If you’re looking forward to your new implants, avoid dairy products in the days after your surgery is complete. If you’re looking for a speedy way to recover and make the most of your implant surgery, then eat plenty of protein! During your first few days of eating soft foods, good protein sources such as protein powder to your meals and smoothies. This is because protein works to help repair tissues, fight off infections, and manage your energy levels while you’re healing.
At St. Clair Dental PLLC, Dr. Maureen Karl and her team will be able to provide you with excellent quality dental care. If you are searching for dental care throughout the Granbury, TX area and require a consultation for implants, seek out St. Clair Dental by calling (817) 910-2880 today.
General and cosmetic dentists provide similar procedures, including teeth whitening, veneers, and other dental restorations. But can general dentists perform cosmetic dentistry? Are they qualified to provide restorative treatments? Today, we’ll explore how both cosmetic and general dentists provide their services, their differences, and what you should consider when visiting your dentist for cosmetic treatment.
In short, yes, because the training required to perform restorations is part of every dentist’s education. All dentists can help you decide on the proper cosmetic treatment and perform it efficiently. But despite this, there are some significant differences between cosmetic and general dentists:
These dentists have different focuses on dentistry, and both are invaluable to dentistry. Many specialties offer services to help patients receive customized, personalized care based on their specific needs. While both can perform teeth whitening procedures, they will perform those procedures based on their knowledge and experience, meaning it’s essential to find the dentist you need most according to what they can provide. This means all cosmetic procedures, such as crowns and implants, often depend on the dentist’s experience, the patient’s requirements, and the overall standards of care set by their education.
All restorative procedures have a cosmetic element because patients always seek to have a healthy smile and a beautiful one. If you’re faced with advanced problems that prevent your general dentist from treating your teeth, a cosmetic dentist can provide a wide selection of cosmetic treatments to improve your smile’s appearance. However, your general dentist will be able to perform all the necessary restorative treatments to keep your smile healthy. Most importantly, schedule an appointment for a routine exam!
If you want cosmetic dental treatments in Granbury, TX, come to St. Clair Dental PLLC! Dr. Maureen Karl and her team can provide comprehensive dental care services for all her patients at our practice. To learn more about your options for cosmetic treatments, receive a dental checkup, or get referred to a specialist, call (817) 910-2880 to schedule an appointment.
Even though we all wish things would stay the same every day, that is regrettably different from how life is. Things shift every day and occasionally several times in a single 24-hour period. But as we age, our bodies undergo alterations that may occur more gradually. But that doesn’t make them any less significant. Your dentist wants you to know that while men and women go through various phases and changes throughout their lifetimes, women’s hormonal changes can impact general and oral health.
Women and men go through almost the same stages of life. While men don’t go through menopause, they still age like anyone else. The stages in a woman’s life can present many dental health concerns:
When it comes to oral health, men and women are very comparable. For instance, they share the same structure, gum tissue, and tooth count. Men and women do, however, have slightly different oral health, which is caused by biological and societal factors. Women are more likely than men to visit the dentist, while men are more likely to acquire gum disease and oral cancer.
Being a woman is challenging enough without constantly worrying about dental visits. The staff at St. Clair Dental PLLC can help you with your concerns. Call Dr. Maureen Karl at (817) 910-2880 to schedule an appointment today!
For most people, orofacial pain is a common, everyday experience, and most go through it without treatment. Many people don’t know what causes their orofacial pain and often go through it without understanding what causes it. Some people, in particular, may face a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, an orofacial condition that causes severe, electrically shocking pain. It’s considered one of the most painful oral conditions known today and challenging to treat. However, it’s essential to know that orofacial pain can be treated, and through working with your local oral surgeons, they can provide oral surgery options to help treat it and give you pain relief.
Orofacial pain can be dull and throbbing, sharp and stabbing, burning and lingering, or a combination of those symptoms. Some people face compounded symptoms such as headaches, jaw clicking, and muscle soreness alongside their orofacial pain. Orofacial pain may be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
Some people face a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, an orofacial condition that’s caused by the malfunction of the fifth cranial nerve. Depending on the location of that nerve damage, shocking electric pain can occur along the teeth, gums, jawline, cheeks, side nose, and forehead. As an excruciating condition, it can occur at random intervals and be challenging to treat, depending on what causes it.
However, many oral surgeons can provide effective oral surgery treatments to help treat orofacial conditions. Some of these surgical treatment options include:
As dentists who care about their patients throughout our community, Dr. Maureen Karl and her team work to provide comprehensive dental care in Granbury, TX, through affordable dental care treatment plans. For more information about whether or not to get oral surgery for orofacial pain, speak to our dentists today by calling (817) 910-2880.
Receiving a dental restoration can be one of the best and most cost-effective ways to care for your health. But what exactly is considered a dental restoration? How do dental restorations work? How do dentists provide dental restorations? At St. Clair Dental PLLC, we can provide a basic introduction to dental restorations, how they work, and how they can improve your smile.
Dental restorations are treatment methods used to repair or improve teeth. Restorations work to improve your oral health and function by using various medical techniques to correct damage, remove decay, and improve your smile’s appearance. Restorations can be used for multiple purposes, and because of how flexible these treatments are, dentists have more available to customize their treatments for their patient’s needs.
Dental restorations are classified into two different categories, which include:
Many dentists are qualified to provide dental restorations, but many dentists will often provide these restorations depending on the patient’s goals. For instance, cosmetic dentists will often provide dental restorations that are more aesthetic-focused. In contrast, other dentists, such as endodontists or orthodontists, can provide restorations that are intrinsically focused on treatment within their expertise.
If you’re having teeth problems, see our dentists at St. Clair Dental PLLC. Our dentists can provide you with many restorative treatments to ensure you have a healthy smile for years to come. Call our practice today to schedule an appointment with our team to learn more!
When most people think about their oral health, they most often think about their teeth. However, our gums are often one of the most neglected parts of our mouths, and when faced with the onset of bacteria, they can be affected by gum disease. Gum disease is a complex disease that’s difficult to treat in its later stages, and when it progresses to periodontal disease, people with this disease will often feel like they’re facing a life-long battle with their gums. We’re here to help you with your oral health by giving you the most up-to-date information about gum disease treatment, how often it needs to be done, and what you can do now to protect your gums from periodontal disease.
Gum disease occurs in three stages of development, and your treatment depends on your current stage. These stages include:
Because of the severity of this disease and how it progresses, your gum disease treatment will depend on your gum disease stage. If you’re faced with periodontitis, you will most likely need regular maintenance cleanings, about four times a year, to help clean out signs of deep pockets and prevent bacteria growth. For early periodontal disease and plaque buildup, the number of cleanings and treatments you get will depend on your condition and how well your oral hygiene is maintained to see successful results.
If you’re having trouble maintaining good oral hygiene, then our team at St. Clair Dental PLLC can help. Through our caring, compassionate team of dentists, we can help clean your teeth and protect your mouth from the effects of gum disease and give you excellent resources for treatment options. For more information, make sure to schedule an appointment with St. Clair Dental PLLC by calling us or scheduling an appointment online.